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MEMBER DIARY

Obama Can’t Win on Immigration

Tough choices ahead for the president

It’s that time in the president’s second term when he becomes a liability, not an asset. In the case of immigration reform, President Obama has no easy choices ahead.

Given the option, Obama would clearly prefer that the immigration bill would pass, after a year spent bouncing from crisis to crisis. In an attempt to change the debate from the IRS and NSA scandals, the president embarked on a tour of economic speeches. These efforts have fallen flat. He needs another signature legislative achievement.

Senators in the Gang of Eight, however, have urged him to stay out of the process. The president’s falling approval rating and lack of credibility with congressional Republicans prevent him from being an effective salesman...